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Ilia Iliev Gruev (Sofia, 6-5-2000) is a different footballer. A 'brain'. “I like to read and listen to 'podcast' about economics and politics. It is important to dedicate part of the leisure time that we have to things that interest us, not only to play the 'playstation “, confesses MARK.
The former Werder Bremen is the 'Prime Minister' of the midfieldof the newly promoted Leeds: “It's a very big club. In Leeds and around the world everyone is from Leeds. But the thing is not there. We have fans around the world and the pressure is high, so it was so important to return to the Premier “.
We have fans worldwide and the pressure is high, so it was so important to return to the Premier
Bulgarian eleventh to play in Premier
Gruev will convert, in this way, the Bulgarian eleventh to play in Premier. Take the witness of Berbatov, Martin Y Stiliyan Petrov, Kishishev, Bojinov … “It's great to see my name with such great players. In Bulgariaonce the ascent was confirmed, They went crazy because a Bulgarian was going to play again in the Premier 10 years later. It is great to be able to represent my country in the best league in the world. ”
Ilia Gruev celebrates the ascenus at the Premier.
His father played with Stoichkov, Penev, Balakov …
Caste comes to the greyhound. His father, Ilia Gruev (senior), also midfielder, shared selection In the late 90s with the 'Gold Generation' Bulgarian: Penev, stoichkov, balakov, kostadinov, borimirov, lechkov … “I was a little one. I have seen him play on video. He scored more goals … But I already have more internationalities “jokes.
His career is not understood without the figure of his parent, Now a German Ingolstadt assistant coach: “He has played a very important role in my life, not only in football. It gives me many advice and your experience helps me not to make your same youth mistakes. Often repeats me: 'Enjoy because time flies. He works and trains hard so that, when you look back, you can't reproach yourself that you don't give it all. ”
Ilia Gruev, now Ingolstadt coach.
“I like to master the game and assume responsibility”
It had, however, other external influences. “As a child I loved to see the 'Dream Team' of Guardiola with Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. It is something that I will not forget. Also to Bayern who won the triplet with Heynckes with Schweinsteiger and Javi MartÃnez In the double pivot, “he recalls.
Now Gruev 'looks with magnifying glass' to his 'equals': “I see many games and I look, above all, in midfieldersin the small details. I really like Rodri and Toni Kroosalthough, unfortunately, he no longer plays. He marked at his best. Sometimes I put on TV just to watch him play. Jong's Frenkie is also different. Thiago Alcántara was another gifted“.
I like Rodri and Kroos. Sometimes TV put just to watch Toni play
Thus, little by little, the '44' of Leeds was building his own personality: “I would define myself as a player who likes to dominate the game and participate in the construction. I like to assume responsibility, give orders to my colleagues and Being the protagonist in defense, trying to occupy the appropriate spaces. “
ILIA Gruev, Con Bulgaria.
A profile that would fit in our football: “The Premier, the Bundesliga and LaLiga are the three leagues that I follow. I like the dominant football that is practiced in Spain. I feel to see many games from Barcelona, ​​Atlético and Real Madrid. See LaLiga is a joy. “
I like the dominant football that is practiced in Spain. See LaLiga is a joy
Del Weserstadion a Elland Road
Gruev was born in Sofia, but tanned at the 'Fusball': “With 15 years I went from Rot-Weiss Erfurt to Werder Bremen. Unite the good of culture and Bulgarian traditions with German values ​​helped me a lot. I am grateful for the opportunities they gave me. It was a great combination. “
Ilia Gruev.
In 2021, With 20 years, he debuted at the Werder: “It was great. Only a small percentage comes from the academy to the first team and I succeeded. The season we ascend (2021-22), my first as a professional, I played 26 games. The next, already in Bundesliga, I played almost everything. I disputed more than 60 games in two years. I enjoyed it a lot. The Werder was and is still my club, where I trained. “
However, in the summer of 2023 changed the bundesliga for the second English prior payment of 6.5 million euros: “I wanted to try something new and it was the perfect timing. Play in England, for Leeds and get up to the Premier. The plan has come great. ”
I wanted to try something new and the plan has come great: play in England, for the Leeds and ascend to the Premier
Back to the Premier
He has had, of course, to 'purge' his sorrows for two years in the 'hell' of the Championship: “Losing the final in Wembley last season was very hard, but we learned the lesson and the team remained united. Key players left for good money, but We were sure that we could build a good group and that was what we did. “
Ilia Gruev.
“The ascent has been the happiest moment since I am here”Gruev confesses, which values ​​another two 'highlights': “I stay with the missing goal that I marked in the return of the semifinal of the playoffs last season against Norwich. The final in Wembley, although we lost, was another prominent moment. It is one of the world football temples and only one week later the Champions Final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund was playing there. “
Losing the final in Wembley last season was very hard, but we learned the lesson
An ascent, that of the lEEDS, orchestrated from the bench by Daniel Farke, often compared to Jürgen Klopp: “He already managed to climb twice with the Norwich and has been key in our success. We had more time to work together from the beginning and that shows. Last season we got 90 points and we did not ascend. This year we already have 94 “.
Gruev drives the ball with the Leeds.
Crucial has also been the contribution of one of ours: Junior Firpo. The former of Malaga, Betis and Barcelona has added four goals and nine assists From the left side: “First of all he is a great friend and a great guy. He is tremendously offensive. Can mark, attend, It gets between the lines and plays well with the ball. For any team it is important to have a left side like Junior Firpo. “
You can mark and attend. For any team it is important to have a left side like Junior Firpo
The great challenge, now, will be staying in Premier. The last six teams that ascended came down again to the following season. “The Championship is a fantastic league, but there is a big difference with the Premier … and it shows. We know that it will not be easy because there are many teams already consolidated, the club will make an effort signing new players and I think we have quality in the template to compete with the best and achieve permanence in the Premier. “
Bulgarian silver ball
Ilia Gruev (20 internationalities) chain two years being secondIn the Bulgarian Golden Ball, Behind Kiril Sevenov. His country, however, accumulates 21 years without participating in Eurocups or world. A streak that trusts that it breaks as soon as possible.
Ilia Gruev, with the Bulgarian silver ball.
“In 1994, when we finished quarters in the World Cup, we had players. Stoichkov won the Golden Ball, later Berbatov did incredible things with Manchester United … Unfortunately, since then, we have gone down. We must invest much more in infrastructure, in developing academies … I started playing with the Sub 15 team and I think we have talent, it is necessary to develop it, ” It laments.
In Bulgaria there is talent, but infrastructure is needed to develop it
“In Bulgaria there are 6 million inhabitants. In Croatia there are 4 and arrive at the semifinals of the European Championships and the World Cups. I think we can achieve it too. Soccer is the most popular sport in Bulgaria, by far, but We are not where we should. We are restarting and I see some progress, but we need time “, continues.
ILIA Gruev, Con Bulgaria.
The 'Prime Minister' of Leeds likes politics, but the ball is passionate. “The day I leave my career, like my father, I will remain linked to football. When something is good, you should not leave it,” He says goodbye. The Premier awaits you. There is a Bulgarian again in the elite.
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